RSL Reserves fall 2-0 at Colorado Reserves

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Sunday, August 5, 2012) – The Real Salt Lake Reserves fell 2-0 to the Colorado Rapids Reserves on Sunday morning on Field 20 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Midfielder Jamie Smith scored both goals for the Rapids, who capitalized on playing with a man advantage for 55 minutes in the heat in Commerce City.

Both teams had early chances, but it was a good free kick by Smith that gave the Rapids the lead. The Scottish midfielder lined up a shot from the corner of the 18-yard box, curling a right-footed shot into the top corner in the 22nd minute. Shortly afterwards, Colorado defender Hunter Freeman made a hard tackle outside the box, and RSL forward Paulo Jr. retaliated and received a red card. Freeman received a yellow card on the play, but the Rapids had a man advantage after just 28 minutes.

Smith scored the second goal for the home side in the 33rd minute, after good passing in the box from Kamani Hill and Tony Cascio gave the midfielder a chance to slot home from 12 yards. The Rapids controlled much of the rest of the match, with Academy player Dillon Serna hitting the crossbar on a free kick from the same range as Smith’s in the first half. Freeman was sent off for a second yellow card in the 83rd minute after tugging down Justin Braun, but Salt Lake was unable to find the back of the net.

With the win, the Rapids Reserves improve to 5-2-1 (W-L-T) on the season, and are currently atop the Central/Mountain Division of the MLS Reserve League. The Real Salt Lake Reserves fall to 1-5-1 in 2012. RSL will travel to face the Houston Dynamo in their next Reserve match on September 7.